It's graduation day for one of our Future Titans, who will progress from our junior system into a fulltime role for 2025.
Say hi to Cooper Bai.
The son of former Melbourne Storm flyer Marcus, will join the Titans as a full-time train and triallist for the 2025 season.
A graduate of the Future Titans program, Bai has developed his game under the watchful eye of the club's development coaches.
Matt Keating, former NRL player and now Elite Pathways Head Coach at the Titans, says the experience of training full-time alongside NRL players will be a huge part of Bai's development as a player.
"Cooper's open willingness to actively seek advice and engage with our coaches has significantly enhanced his on-field performances during this time within our Future Titans program," Keating said.
"His dedication and continuous efforts to improve during each session or game have been instrumental in his progression from our pathways to the NRL system.
"I am confident he possesses all of the qualities needed to succeed in his debut NRL pre-season and I'm excited to see how he develops throughout 2025."
While his dad made his name on the wing, Cooper's preference is wearing the #13 on his back.
He played lock for Burleigh in the Mal Meninga Cup grand final and was named in the Queensland under 19's side capping a big 2024 season.
Bai says he's keen to test himself alongside the club's NRL regulars.
"I'm just keen for the challenge of going into my first NRL pre-season," Bai said.
"Training with the top-30 squad and learning off the NRL boys is something I'm really excited about and I can't wait to get to work.
"My goal (this pre-season) is to better myself and my game.
"I really want to get a feel of it, get my fitness and strength up to NRL standard and really progress from the Future Titans program to the NRL level.
"I really want to say thankyou to all of the Future Titans staff who have helped me since under 14s and my family for guiding me along the way to allow me to get to this point to take up this opportunity."
